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Active Energy Group announced Landmark forestry joint venture with three Métis Settlements

Highlights:• The forests, located in Western Canada, are owned by three indigenous aboriginal groups: the Alberta Métis Settlements of Peavine, Paddle Prairie and East Prairie.

• The partners in the new venture include the three Métis Settlements, Grand Chief Ronald M. Derrickson of British Columbia, and Active Energy Group.

• The Métis Settlements and Active Energy Group will each hold a 45% equity interest in the joint venture company, which will be incorporated in Canada and headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, with the remaining equity to be held by Grand Chief Ronald M. Derrickson.

• The new venture represents a landmark arrangement for the Métis: it provides a mechanism for their rights and assets to be independently assessed and valued, and for them to receive a fair and equitable share of the proceeds from the commercialisation of those rights and assets over the long-term.

• Under the agreement, the Métis Settlements will, in exchange for their equity interest in the joint venture company, grant exclusive rights over all their forestry assets to the joint venture company; and Active Energy Group will commit to commercialise those forestry assets in exchange for its equity stake.

• The joint venture company will be allowed to enter into sub-leases with third parties for periods of approximately 200 years to facilitate long-term economic development for the Métis peoples, in collaboration with international investors and commercial partners.

• The forests are primarily composed of prime mature standing hardwood (Aspen, Poplar) and softwood (Spruce, Pine, Fir) species. AEG will aim, with the active involvement of the Métis Settlements Boardrepresentatives, to ensure that sub-lessees and other partners adhere to internationally-recognised environmental and sustainability standards, and the highest international forestry stewardship criteria.

• All commercial transactions that the joint venture may enter into will include an obligation to providelocal employment for Métis citizens, and a commitment to contribute to corporate social responsibility programmes which benefit Métis communities.

• This substantial agreement has been promoted and overseen throughout the negotiation and agreement stages by Grand Chief Ronald M. Derrickson and Iner Gauchier, Chairman of the Peavine Métis Settlement, with the support of Greg Calliou and Gerald Cunningham, respectively Chairmen of the Paddle Prairie and East Prairie Métis Settlements.

• To ensure fair and equitable participation for the indigenous groups in the management of the joint venture, it has been unanimously agreed that Grand Chief Derrickson will be appointed Chairman of the new company, and will be joined on the Board by three representatives from Active Energy Group and one representative from each of the three Métis Settlements that are party to the agreement.